Taking her into his tent, he incurred the wrath of a powerful and mad minister, from which he could

Unfortunately, this girl was stubborn and wanted to go out and suffer, but Liu refused to help her, so she couldn't think of a good solution for the time being.

Mingyi sat obediently beside the old lady, her eyes lowered.

Most of the guests today were wives and daughters of officials and noblewomen, each of whom brought their daughters. Mingyi listened quietly to their chatter without interrupting.

The ladies all spoke with ulterior motives, each wanting their daughters to marry into the Zong family.

These noblewomen, who were always well-informed, were eager to curry favor with the Zong family after learning that the marriage between the Shen and Zong families had fallen through.

Zong Xian happened to be free and staying at home recently, so the ladies brought their daughters to visit. It would be best if Zong Xian took a liking to them, but even if he didn't, they could still become acquainted with them and there would be plenty of time in the future.

However, Zong Xian was not at the banquet at the moment. He claimed that he was recuperating from an injury and could not receive guests.

Even when Zong Xian was not around, it did not stop the ladies from secretly competing with each other, comparing their daughters as if they were commodities, and even going so far as to suggest that their daughters become concubines.

Mingyi felt that women in this era were truly pitiful. Even if they were born into noble families, they could not escape being used as tools for exchanging benefits, and had no personal dignity whatsoever.

Mingyi felt that being a concubine was worse than being a servant.

At least a servant could redeem himself, but a concubine could not. Not only did she lose her freedom, she was also forced to be a breeding machine for life.

If she's lucky enough to give birth to a son, she might enjoy a man's favor for a few years and live a life free from want.

Those who are unfortunate enough to fall out of favor will live out their lives in despair and die in the backyard, forgotten by everyone after their death—it's too tragic.

Even on occasions like this, Yu Shi, who is usually highly regarded by the old lady, cannot appear in front of others.

If she had to choose between the two, she would rather be a slave or maid than become a man's concubine.

Xie Huaiyu is also not an option.

Fortunately, Xie Huaiyu is not that kind of person; he always keeps his promises.

He promised to go through the proper betrothal and marriage ceremony to marry her as his principal wife.

Thinking of this, Mingyi banished the jumbled thoughts from her mind.

She finally learned the background of the man who had an affair with Madam Yu.

Lu Zhangming, a member of the Lu family, is the son of Madam Zong's cousin. He was born late in life and was doted on.

In terms of relationship, Lu Zhangming should call Madam Zong "aunt" and Zong Heng "elder cousin".

Yu was also from the maternal family of the old lady of the clan, so it's no wonder that the two of them had the opportunity to get together. Perhaps Yu had known Lu Zhangming before coming to the clan residence.

...

Mingyi was naturally beautiful and had a gentle temperament. Her seat was also very conspicuous, so it was inevitable that she would attract attention.

When someone asked the old lady who she was, she introduced herself to everyone.

She deliberately concealed her relationship with Xie Huaiyu, only vaguely saying that she was a distant relative of the Xie family.

The Xie family is the same family as Madam Zong.

Every year, many relatives come to the Zong family mansion to freeload, and some flatter them, saying, "The old lady is truly kind-hearted."

"That's right. These days, you can't just give money to any distant relative." The speaker was Madam Wang.

She only said half of what she meant, leaving people somewhat in suspense, so Madam Jiang asked, "What do you mean by that, Madam Wang?"

Everyone looked at Madam Wang, and even Old Madam Zong looked up at her.

Mingyi frowned slightly, vaguely sensing that Madam Wang was targeting her.

Madam Wang blinked and said slowly, "Haven't you all heard?"

"Madam Wang, stop keeping me in suspense and tell me quickly."

Lady Wang then said, "Not long ago, Lord Li's family took in a woman, who was also a distant relative. She was all alone and pitiful."

"But no one expected that the woman had impure intentions, climbed into Lord Li's bed, and even poisoned Lord Li's wife and children to death! After the matter was exposed, she threw herself into the river and committed suicide."

"Poor Lord Li, his family was destroyed because of a woman, and in the end, he went insane because he couldn't accept the reality."

Madam Wang's storytelling skills were first-rate, and her stories were very engaging, leaving everyone deeply impressed.

"That's why I said that the old lady is kind-hearted and willing to take in anyone," Madam Wang said, then smiled at Ji Mingyi and said, "Miss Ji, don't overthink it. I absolutely didn't mean to target you by saying this."

Her explanation only made things worse, as everyone looked at Ji Mingyi with ambiguous expressions. Even Old Madam Zong frowned slightly, her gaze no longer as friendly as before.

Mingyi already understood that Madam Wang was targeting her.

But why? She hadn't offended her.

She immediately realized that Madam Wang saw her as a hidden rival to her daughter, and wanted to use a tragic story to warn Madam Zong to be wary of her.

It has to be said that this woman from a prominent family is very cunning. She did nothing, yet the other party managed to make her the target of public criticism with just a few words.

According to Madam Wang's argument, wouldn't any future misfortunes in the Zong family's inner quarters be attributed to her?!

Why should she suffer this unwarranted malice for no reason?

Mingyi's eyes were cold: "Hearing about the tragedy at the Li family residence is truly regrettable."

Mingyi sighed softly, then looked at Old Madam Zong before turning back to Madam Wang. "I am grateful to the Old Madam for taking me in, and I have always kept etiquette and propriety in mind. Madam, by mentioning these things in front of everyone, do you perhaps think that the Old Madam is poor at judging people and would tolerate someone with wicked intentions?"

Madam Wang choked on her words, about to speak, but Mingyi didn't give her a chance to explain.

"Or perhaps, in Madam's eyes, Second Master Zong is also like that Lord Li, blinded by lust?"

Madam Wang stammered, "I...I didn't..."

Mingyi lowered her eyelashes and said aggrievedly, "Madam, please don't blame me for overthinking. After all, I have no one to rely on and have always been cautious, so it's natural that I'm more sensitive. Your veiled remarks have truly frightened me."

Lu Zhangming, sitting in the men's section, saw her eyes redden from being bullied and couldn't help but speak up for her: "The world is full of different people, how can one person's actions represent everyone? Madam Wang's analogy is far too biased."

Ji Mingyi glanced at Lu Zhangming, frowned slightly, and said nothing.

The guests exchanged bewildered glances, their gazes towards Madam Wang now carrying a different meaning, and even Old Madam Zong's face darkened.

Most of those present realized the purpose behind Madam Wang's story and sneered inwardly.

Haha, his daughter hasn't even entered the Zong family's gates yet, and he's already wary of other women.

Even if Ji Mingyi really is the concubine that the old lady is preparing to give to Zong Xian, so what?

It's perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. If a woman from a prominent family can't even tolerate this much, how much better can her daughter be?

When noble families choose a principal wife, the most taboo thing is that the mistress is jealous, otherwise how can the inner court be peaceful?

Madam Zong had already mentally marked the Wang family with a big X.

She originally intended to elevate Mingyi to the position of concubine. If Zongxian's future principal wife couldn't tolerate Ji Mingyi, it would be a slap in the face for this old woman.

When she was choosing a wife for Zong Xian, in addition to her family background and character being up to standard, the most important criterion was that she had to be able to tolerate Ji Mingyi.

Even after Madam Wang explained that she meant no harm, Old Madam Zong's attitude towards her became much colder.